Small plants, glabrous to furfuraceous when young; at least sometimes with a few slender epicortical roots from base of plant. Leaves irregularly alternate-decussate. Inflorescences determinate or indeterminate, extremely small, often (but not always) with bracteolate triads below and ebracteolate monads above, all but terminal flowers in paired positions. Flowers bisexual or plants dioecious; 3-5-merous; stamens/anthers fused with subtending petals, dimorphic, with 2 or 4 pollen sacs.